News

Ministry of Defense to draft thousand more men in Kazakhstani army

Spring conscription lasted from March through June, while the fall one runs from September to December / gov.kz (Ministry of Defense), photo editor: Arthur Aleskerov

The Ministry of Defense plans to additionally enlist around 1,000 conscripts, citing «troop needs.” The soldiers will be assigned to “protection and defense objectives,» the agency said in response to Kursiv.media’s inquiry. 

The ministry aims to draft an additional 968 conscripts to «strengthen the Armed Forces,” necessary to “maintain tactical efficiency and fulfill defense and protection objectives.»

The agency hasn’t specified the exact reason for the increased call-ups but pointed out that «the conscript number depends on troop needs.»

«Additionally drafted young men will be sent to military posts and institutions of Armed Forces branches, regional command troops and armed services branches,» the message explains. 

On Aug. 5, the ministry issued a draft decree on an additional call-up of 968 conscripts. If approved, the total number of drafted men will be 40,148. The decision will affect young men between the ages of 18 and 27, who have no right to draft deferments or exemptions. 

In February 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on the transfer of military personnel to the reserve and the military conscription in 2024. The spring conscription took place between March and June, and the fall autumn will start in September and continue through December. 

Different media outlets reported that the Ministry of Defense drafted 37,000 young men in 2023. More than 16,000 served in the Armed Forces, and 21,000 served in the military units of the National Guard, Border Service, State Security Service and Ministry for Emergency Situations.